A Very Meryton Christmas by Olivia Kane

Author:Olivia Kane [Kane, Olivia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-11-29T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Sir William Lucas loved Christmas. He threw himself into the season with abandon, opening up Lucas Lodge to his neighbors, draping evergreen boughs liberally and installing an immense fir wreath braided with strings of nuts and almonds and glossy red apples on his front door. His table he filled with the delicacies of the season, boar’s head and roast goose, mincemeat pies, flounder and oysters, chestnuts and the Christmas puddings that had steeped for a month by then.

Each Christmas Eve he shared his home with friends and neighbors and his guest list was inclusive. Even if recently introduced, he would freely forward an invite as if acquainted since the cradle, as he did to the whole party at Netherfield.

Lady Lucas was pleased to get word that Darcy might miss the party. Seeing his grim face at the assemblies and noting his general lack of good humor, she very rightly feared that he would steal their Christmas spirit with his attendance. And considering the expense the party incurred to their household budget, she deeply desired nothing but frivolity and flirting to justify the expenditure. Sir William may have forgotten what it was like to have to economize, but she did not have such an easy time of it.

Nevertheless, with Charlotte still unmarried, Lady Lucas considered the money spent on the party a wise investment, especially with the regiment in town. She had her eye on Mr. Denny as a match for Charlotte. Every year she prayed that Charlotte would be approached by a suitor, and every year no suitor arrived. In Denny’s letter accepting her invitation, she discerned an intelligence and ease of expression that sought her to imagine him for Charlotte. She hoped the largesse that the family showed at their holiday party might inspire one or two officers to take a second look at Charlotte.

However, Lady Lucas’s holiday matchmaking hopes were somewhat deflated when she heard from Charlotte, who heard the news from Elizabeth, that Mrs. Bennet had hosted a private party for the officers, Mr. Denny included. Not only had Mrs. Bennet left out Charlotte and Maria but the party was kept a secret. Lady Lucas despised secret, private get-togethers as word always got out and feelings were always hurt.

“Why should I have to hear of such an event through sources other than Mrs. Bennet herself when I have constantly kept her updated on the guest list for my party?” she grumbled to Charlotte.

“Perhaps it was last minute?” Charlotte reasoned.

“But why not invite you and Maria? I thought we were good friends,” Lady Lucas complained.

“Maybe they preferred a more intimate party so as not to steal from the general excitement of our invitation?” Charlotte guessed.

“It was only officers invited; no one else. Mrs. Bennet is pushing her daughters forward at the expense of all the other young ladies of Meryton.”

“Do you really think she intentionally omitted us?” Charlotte persisted.

“Yes. But I suspect that, despite her purposeful hospitality, Mrs. Bennet has some disappointment heading her way where Wickham is concerned,” she laughed.

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